Same Old Strategy In Syria

It is troubling that our President is hell-bent on making the same mistake that previous administrations have made by involving the United States in situations where we don’t belong. It is ironic that this President promised to do business differently than his predecessors when he first ran for office.

Our country no longer wields the economic might it once did in the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s. This unfortunate fact of life gives us less of a margin for error than we have enjoyed in the past. We can’t afford to squander precious resources on a limited strike against Syria. Many lawmakers in the Congress and Senate believe a unilateral missile attack by the U.S. will have little or no effect aside from killing more innocent people.

We have many social issues in America crying out for resources and constructive solutions. The last thing we need is an ill-conceived, destructive attempt to impose our will in Syria.

Referring to Asad’s attack against his own people, Obama recently said, “It makes a mockery of the global prohibition of chemical weapons. It endangers our friends and our partners along Syria’s borders, including Israel, Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon and Iraq. It could lead to escalating use of chemical weapons, or their proliferation to terrorist groups who would do our people harm.”

This paranoia-laden statement echoes similar statements made by past administrations to justify military intervention abroad. As in the past, Obama’s statement conveniently ignores or twists the facts. Asad has his hands full fighting against his own people. The chances of Asad attacking his neighbors are practically nil. As far as our national security is concerned, what do you think a U.S. attack on an Arab country will do to further endear us to terrorist groups? It will only serve to stoke the fires of their hatred towards this country, of course. An attack against Syria will only make the world a more dangerous place for U. S. Citizens.

It is easy to see that there is no real justification for the U.S. to take it upon itself to launch missiles into Syria. I view such an attack as an act of senseless violence. We the people are responsible for peace on earth, not the government. I intend to let my representatives in the Senate and Congress know how I feel. Let your voice be heard.

To these same old ugly problems we need new solutions, which we are capable of, that call upon our brain power and heart and our sense of the humane.

I also took your advice and sent e-mails to the President and several prominent politicians and leaders requesting a pause to the trigger fixation and call for coming together in peace for peace with a will to succeed without resort to another act of violence.

Thanks for your comment, Mike. I’ve learned subsequently that Asad has killed 100, 000 people with conventional weapons and 2,000 people with chemical weapons. That’s not to minimize the deaths from chemical weapons, but to point out that murder is murder, regardless of the weapons used. Most of the news analysts on TV say that a unified diplomatic solution is required rather than a unilateral US missile strike.

David,
I, too, have been watching the conversation around Syria. I believe that everything has a spiritual reality as well as a physical reality. When I looked at Syria, I saw it as an example of the two paths of consciousness here on earth at this time. We are all being asked to choose, and the more anger and conflict arises, the more that choice matters. Each of us is called to create peace in our own bodies and our own lives, and to embody our own divinity. So while you might write your representative, you might also walk your dog, meditate, garden, write, or do whatever else puts you in the flow of joy. Claiming our individually joyful lives is crucial at this moment in time.
Blessings,
Alix

Nice post, Dave. I totally agree with you. I also hate to use your blog to plug myself, but I’ll do it anyway.
I’d like to think the video/song below could become irrelevant one day, but today is not the day.
Song For The Next War –>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6Q3uXfW1k4
Some of the images are graphic and extreme, so if you don’t want to see that kind of thing, please don’t watch.

David, I couldn’t agree more. I wonder how many people realize we will probably have to borrow money from China to fund this “limited, no “boots” on the ground, action. And who really believes it won’t end up with “boots” on the ground? Great post.

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After a career in marketing communications, I turned my attention to creative writing. To date, I've written three feature length screenplays and three novels. At this point, I am determined to become less serious.